80 



apply to grass lands, in which shelter is frequently an 

 object, and the size and shape of the field immaterial. 



Herbage is not of itself a sure criterion, but must be 

 taken in connexion with the other external marks. On 

 some medium lands the natural and artificial grasses are 

 very fine, and on others miserably bad, particularly on 

 clay soils injudiciously laboured. 



Crops. These, on medium lands, except in peculiar 

 circumstances, will generally exhibit, both in quantity and 

 quality, their inferiority to the growth of prime lands. 



INFERIOR LAND. The external marks of inferior land 

 are so self-evident as to impress the most careless observer. 

 Not only are its elevation, its drainage, its fences, its her- 

 bage, its crops, generally in part or in whole unfavourable, 

 but the very aspect of the occupying tenants, and even 

 of the cattle exhibits poverty. 



V. CHECKING THE VALUATION. 



Every professional valuator should provide himself with 

 some means to test the accuracy of his work. 



If the work be all done by himself, he will avail himself 

 of opportunities to ascertain the opinion of well-informed 

 residents on such portions as they are most familiar with ; 

 and his inquiries should be directed rather with a view to 

 elicit facts as to the known capabilities of the land than as 

 to any local estimate of its value. 



Concurring evidence of this kind, with regard to the 

 productive powers of certain classes of soils, will fortify 

 his individual judgment, and afford collateral proof of its 

 correctness. 



If the labour of valuation be intrusted to assistants, 

 they should be sent separately to traverse the field of each 

 other's labours, and make their individual and unconcerted 

 reports to the principal. Should any discrepancies occur 

 this should be rectified by the personal examination of the 

 principal, who, by this means, makes the valuation his own, 

 and can with confidence give the finished work the 

 authority of his name. 



